Rev Hugh Park, 20 July 2025
A book titled “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing Here in the Pits?” was a New York Times bestseller. Its authors recounted two distinct periods in their lives, illustrating the temporariness of certain phases.
During their children’s younger years, they would look at their backyard, seeing muddy patches instead of a lush lawn, and wonder, “Will the grass ever come back?” Later, when their children had grown and left home, they would enter the now-empty rooms and wonder, “Will the children ever come back?”
These experiences, as the authors suggest, highlight that some parts of life are temporary, while others appear almost eternal, and that true wisdom lies in discerning the difference. This introduces today sermon’s central theme about what truly endures, particularly in the context of spiritual devotion, as explored in the story of Mary and Martha.
My reflection today highlights the Great Commandment – to “Love the Lord your God with everything, and love your neighbour as you love yourself.” While the Good Samaritan parable last Sunday exemplified loving our neighbour, the story of Mary and Martha this Sunday illustrates our love for God.
Jesus and his disciples visited the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was busy preparing food and making beds, fulfilling practical needs. In contrast, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to his words. Martha, overwhelmed, asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. This passage is often seen as challenging because Martha, who was serving diligently, appears to be criticized for asking for help.
Apparently, Martha was a faithful follower who understood the immediate needs of her guests, likening her actions to the Good Samaritan’s practical care. However, it shifts the focus to the vertical relationship with God. The central point isn’t about rebuking Martha’s service, but rather about the priority of spiritual connection.
It’s like Christmas preparations that can overshadow the true meaning, our busy lives can sometimes make us forget the real centre of the event: Jesus Christ. While churches need “Marthas” for their practical contributions – balancing budgets, organizing volunteers, and maintaining facilities – the passage questions what truly fosters growth in faith and our relationship with God.
Mary, by simply stopping everything else to listen to Jesus, exemplified this priority. It encourages us to learn to sometimes sit at Jesus’ feet, listening, observing, and studying God’s word at the expense of all others. It references John 14:21, “Those who receive my commandments and obey them are the ones who really love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.” This is rephrased as: “Whoever takes my words to heart and lives by them—those are the people who genuinely love me. My Father will pour out his love on them, and I will too, making myself known to them.”
Concluding with the words of Isaiah – “all human beings are like grass; they last no longer than wildflowers, but the word of God endures forever” – it strongly stresses that God’s word is what makes our faith grow and deepens our relationship with God. I know we still grow in faith in our relationship with our fellow Christian believers as part of a faith community.
But when we embrace and live by His words seriously, God’s love will be poured out on us, and Christ will reveal Himself in our lives, for God’s words will remain forever. And when that happens, our lives won’t be same at all as His Kingdom people on earth.